On 21 April 2010, six adventurers on Yamaha WaveRunners left from Ponto De Oura, Mozambique, with the aim of making history by being the first to travel over 2800km’s of South African coastline in order to increase awareness and raise funds for CANSA as part of the Coast2Coast4CANSA (C2C4C) campaign. On 12 May, just over three weeks later, the intrepid jet ski adventurers and CANSA ambassadors safely and successfully reached Alexander Bay and the Orange River mouth – the border between South Africa and Namibia.

The jet ski team, supported by SPAR and ACER and led by Russel Symcox (Scottburgh), reached their final destination just before sunset on Wednesday 12 May, having ridden the 346km from Brand se Baai in almost 9 hours. Symcox said “we could not have scripted it any better! Apart from the beautiful sunset, to arrive at what we thought was going to be a secluded and empty beach to an amazing reception from the Alexander Bay and Port Nolloth communities was both surprising and flattering! On one of the first stop over’s, back in Richards Bay in KZN, Nina Deysel (Zululand Yacht Club PR and cancer survivor) gave us a Chinese lantern to light when we got to the end of our journey. Watching the lantern rise up into the sky, with the lights of Namibia shining in the background, was one of the most awesome feelings I have ever experienced!”

C2C4C team member Bennie Benson, who has been a cancer survivor for 17 years, rode the final leg, as well as many other legs, with the rest of the jet ski team. Benson said “the fact that I am able to ride jet skis and keep up with the other guys is proof that cancer can be beaten. After battling with the disease 17 years ago, and winning, I live a normal life and I hope that this expedition inspires those who are also battling cancer. This mission was almost like a metaphor for my fight against cancer – when we first began, the task was so daunting and intimidating, but each day we just moved a little closer to our goal. It was not easy, but with hard work and dedication, and with the support of a good team, like CANSA, there is definitely life after cancer!”

Symcox said that “we were blown away by the amount of support we received along the way. Even at the last CANSA function at the Country Club in Port Nolloth, where we were a few hours late due to the nine hours we had spent on the water, the people welcomed us with open arms. In a matter of minutes, the community had contributed to raising over R 15 000 at a charity auction in the name of CANSA. The support of CANSA, along with all of the communities we have had the pleasure of visiting along the way, has been phenomenal”.

“Meeting up with and hearing the life stories of cancer survivors along the route was a constant reminder as to why we had embarked on the C2C4C expedition in the first place” said Symcox. “CANSA play a vital role in helping people to cope with cancer, and I cannot say enough about the fantastic work that they do. The C2C4C team visited CANSA interim homes, a Shavathon as well as two Relay For Life events – we were touched by the people we met and the stories we heard. I urge everyone to support the CANSA fundraisers, as the Association needs all the help they can get in fighting cancer. It is not too late to donate to our cause, the sole beneficiary of all our fundraising efforts is CANSA, and details are on our website www.coast2coast4cansa.co.za”.

On Monday, Symcox is to meet with New Zealander Jeremy Burfoot, a cancer survivor who has circumnavigated New Zealand on a jet ski and who is about to attempt to travel from London to Auckland on a jet ski. Burfoot was following the progress of the Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA team closely and often sent messages of support to the team. Symcox said “after communicating over e-mail and telephone for so long, it will be great to finally meet Jeremy. We will most definitely swop some war stories! He has so much experience with doing arduous fundraising jet ski expeditions, so I am looking forward to tapping in to his knowledge. After all, there might be another expedition on the horizon! Before that happens though, we will be hosting our official closing function at the SunCoast Casino in the next few weeks, so keep your eyes on our website for details.”

During their treacherous mission, the pilots, Barry Lewin (SA Surfski paddler), Jason Ribbink (SA Surfer & Big Wave Rider), Lance Klusener (SA Cricketer), Mark Addison (Marine Conservationist & Shark Expert), Olivia Symcox (C2C4C Media Director), Brandon Ribbink (World Lifesaving Champion), Bennie Benson (cancer survivor) and Russel Symcox (Dolphins Cricketer) experienced some of the most extreme ocean conditions possible, getting battered by 7 metre ocean swells and 40 knots winds outside Richards Bay on just the third day of the journey.

After enjoying perfect conditions in the Eastern Cape, the team was once again put to the test when they reached the Cape of Storms. Rounding Cape Point and making inroads up the rugged and wild West Coast was made all the more difficult with the huge seas and strong winds that the team once again had to deal with. When blessed with a rare window of favourable weather, the team made one final push and rode a mammoth 346km on the final day to reach the mouth of the Orange River just before sunset, having left from the isolated and nearly inaccessible Brand se Baai over nine hours earlier.

The 1511 nautical mile journey involved more than just the six-strong “core” jet ski crew, as they were accompanied by four Toyota support vehicles manned by support crew members, medical and safety personnel, a television and media production crew, media liaisons and logistics coordinators. The support crew included Rob Evans, Liz Symcox, James Zikhali, Kelvin Trautman, Sharron Wharren and Sean Willis.

During the journey, the crew stopped over in the major South African cities of Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, and made use of the opportunities to promote cancer awareness. On these particular stop over days, the fundraising and awareness objectives were accomplished with the valued support of the local CANSA offices, as well as with the assistance of the sponsors in each locality.

The mission deservedly attracted much media attention, with interviews with local radio stations and regional and community newspapers a regular occurrence. Additionally, with the assistance of CANSA, educational visits to schools, hospitals, clinics and special care facilities were also be organized, all designed to promote awareness about cancer and draw attention to the objectives of the C2C4C campaign.